Pin type feeding means for manifolding material



April 5, 1938. J. Q. SHERMAN 2,313,455 u n PIN TYPE FEEDIHG EANS FORIAIFOLDING ITERIAIJ I I Y I Y Filed lay yas, 193 :s shuts-sheet sf Oo oo ooo-Q0 /NVENToR MA TTORNE y Patented Apr. 5, 1938 John o. sama,namnronit appna'uun Mayzs. 193s, N0. sans `as claim. r (cnn-2.4) f

This invention relates to stripffeeding means for advancingsuperposedwebs of manifolding` material or the like intov writingposition .and more particularly to a pin type feeding and aligningdevice adapted to maintain the registry of superposed forms while inwriting position. In the use of printed forms for manifolding purposesit is highly important and desirable that the forms be presented inexact alignment and registry at the writing position and equallyimportant that they be so held while being inscribed.

To provide for unison advancement of the superposed strips of seriesconnected forms from a, source of supply to the writing position thestrips are marginally punched at spaced intervals for engagement of thepins or studs of a travelling pin type feeding member which may b`eeither a rotary wheel or a travelling endless belt provided with studsor pins at spaced intervels corresponding to the spacing of the marginalfeed holes in the strips.

Although great care is exercised in the manufacture of such marginallypunched material wherein the marginal holes are punched in predeterminedfixed relation with .succeeding printed forms, errors and ununiformityof spacing incident to inaccuracy of the feeding movement Aof the stripsthrough the press and to ununiform stretch and shrinkage of thematerial, is quite likely to occur.

Such ununiformity of spacing of the forms and accompanying holesnecessitates slight relativeshifting motion of the superposed strips asthey approach the writing position. The necessary shifting motion iseffected by the entrance of succeeding studs or pins of the pin typeelement into the overlapped holes of the superposed strips, which if notin registry will be brought into registry by the entrance of thestuds orpins. In order that the pins may enter the holes easily and affordclearance for such relative movement of the superposed strips as may benecessary, the holes are of larger size than the cross sectional area ofthe travelling pins. By their engagement with the forward margins of theholes the pins first advance one strip relative the other until themargins of the corresponding holes of different strips are in registryafter which the strips are further advanced in unison. This is found aquite satisfactory and thoroughly prac-- tical method of aligning andregistering the form of succeeding strips as they approach the writingposition. However when arrested at the writing position the feed holesbeing larger than the pins there necessarily remains the possibility andopportunityfor the. forms to be acidrenlly Shifted outofregistrywithewhf other duringthe writing operation. fichas-,heretoforebeencus-k tornary to provideclamp bars, weights, ,ory other holdingdevices for preventingsuchslippage., The present invention provides forautomatically retaining-the, aligned ,and .resisteredamns mmh relation-while-finvr writing position by providing in association with thesuccessionof feeding pins.. of smaller size than the feed holes, anadditional holding pin which by substantially fittingfthe reg-.g

istering holes of the vsuperposed stripsk willpref.' vent their relativeshifting movement.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction aswell as the means -and mode of operation of pin type feeding devices forsuperposed strips whereby they may not only be economically manufacturedbut will be more efcient in use, automatic in action, uniform inoperation, insure increased accuracy and be un likely to get out ofrepair.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for automaticallyholding the superposed forms in their aligned and registering relationwhich will engage the superposed strips after the corresponding formsthereof have been aligned and registered and which will release thestrips preparatory to further relative adjustment of the strips as maybe required to register the next succeeding set of forms. i

A further object of the inventionis to provide an improved pin typefeeding device embodying in association with each other both adjustingand holding pins or studs. f l

A further object of the invention is to provide a pin type feedingdevice for use with marginally punched marial which during a portion ofVits travel movement will effect suchl relative adjust-` ment ofsuperposed strips as may be required to bring them into registry andthereafter hold such strips in their adjusted relation. y

A further object of the invention is to provide automatic form holdingmeans possessing the structural features of advantage and meritoriouscharacteristics hereinafter mentioned.

With the above primary and other incidental objects in view as will morefully'appear in the specification, the invention consists of the fea-ytures of construction, the parts and combinations thereof, and the modeof operation, or its equivalents, as hereinafter described andsetforthrin invention, Fig. l is a perspective view of a portableautographic register in which the present strip feeding means may beemployed.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the same portable autographic registerwith the lid lifted to show the relative location of the marginallypunched superposed strips to be fed and the pin type feeding device forengagement therewith.

Fig. 3 is a.- detail section view of the pin type feeding device andassociated parts.

Fig. 4 is an enlarged side elevation of a pin wheel unit embodying thepresent invention.

Fig. 5 is a face view of such pin wheel unit.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged plan fragmentary view of a portion of a marginallypunched form showing the relation of the feeding and holding studs orpins.

Fig. 'I is a similar fragmentary view showing the relation of thefeeding or adjusting pins or studs.

Pig. 8 is a fragmentary view of a record strip illustrating a variationof punched holes for use with a pin wheel having uniform pins.

Fig. 9 is a side view of a pin wheel for use with the strip punched asshown in Fig. 8.

Fig. l illustrates a modification of the pin wheel for feeding shortforms or split tickets.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughoutthe several views.

Referring to the drawings, I is the cabinet or housing of a portablemanifolding register having therein a compartment for a supply ofinterfolded continuous series-connected printed forms which are advancedfrom said supply compartment about suitable guides and over a writingtablet 2 forming the top of such cabinet into writing position beneathan opening 3 in the hinged lid or cover I of the cabinet I`. The recordstrips are marginally punched at 6 for engagement of .the pins or studsof a suitable' pin type feeding device which project through slots 1adjacent one end of the writing tablet 2 into engagement with themarginal holes 6 of the record strips 5. Interleaved between the recordstrips 5 at the writing position is a length of carbon or transfermaterial 8 extending transversely of the record strips 5 and suppliedfrom a roll 9 located at one side of the writing tablet 2. The pin typefeeding device is actuated to advance the record strips i over thewriting tablet by the rotation of an operating disc III which carries acrank handle II located at one side of the cabinet I.

In the present instance the feeding device comprises a pair of pin wheelunits I2 mounted upon a shaft Il extending transversely of the cabinet Iadjacent to one end thereof and to the extremity of which the actuatingvdisc Il is connected. The pin wheel units I2 are of such size and solocated that as they are rotated by manual rotation of the disc I l theradially projecting studs or pins I4 thereof are successively projectedthrough the slots 1 in the writing tablet 2 and through the overlappingholes 0 of superposed record strips 5. Due to inaccuracies ofmanufacture, irregularity in the punching of the strips, or unequalexpansion and contraction thereof, the overlapping holes C of thesuperposed strips may be slightly oil'set or in eccentric relation asshown at I5 in Fig. 'I. The feeding pins Il are of tapered or conicalform and are of somewhat less diameter at their bases than the diametersof the feed holes i. Therefore such conical feeding pins I l will entereasily into the slightly offset or eccentric 75 holes l and by theengagement of the stud or pin with the margin of the hole of one stripin advance of that of the other strip, the strip first engaged will beadvanced slightly until the holes are in conformity with each otherbeyond which point the strips will be advanced in unison by thecontinuous feeding movement of the pins. The differential size of theholes '6 and pins I4 and clearance afforded thereby-is such thatafter`having been brought into exact registry the superposed forms maybe thereafter relatively shifted out of their registered and alignedrelation within the limit of the clearance afforded by the increasedsize of the holes 6 relative to that of th pins o:- studs Il.

Ordinarily although not necessarily the pin type units I2 are soproportioned that a complete rotation of the pin wheel unit is necessaryto advance the strips 5 one form length. Such being the case there isprovided in association with the series of feeding pins I4 an additionalholding pin or stud Ii the size of which is substantially equal to thatof the feed holes 6. 'I'his additional locating or holding pin or studI6 is brought into engagement with the superposed strips 5 at thecompletion of each feeding operation to hold the next succeeding set offorms stationary upon the writing tablet 2. 'I'he locating or holdingstud or pin I6 will substantially completely fill the engagedregistering hole 6 in the strip and by obviating any clearance betweenthe pin or stud I6 and the margins of the holes will eliminate anyshifting movement of'the strips relative to the pin or to each other,thereby maintaining the strips in their aligned and registered relationto which they have been previously adjusted by the action of the feedingpins I4.

It will be obvious that in the.event short length forms are to be fed orthat the pin wheel unit I2` is so proportioned that it will advance thestrips 5 the desired form length during a partial rotation of the pinwheel unit additional locating or holding studs or pins I6 may beprovided at spaced intervals corresponding to the length of the form tobe issued. In any event the construction and arrangement will be suchthat at the limit of the advance movement of the strips a predetermineddistance a locating or holding stud or pin I8 of larger size than thefeeding pins or studs I4 will be left in engagement in the registeringfeed holes 6 of the strips when the succeeding forms to be inscribed arein writing position upon the tablet 2.

Ihis construction'although extremely simple y and necessitating noadditional parts is found to be quite effective and efilcient instationarily holding the strips 5 during the writing operation, andpossesses the advantage of being entirely automatic. It engages thestrips at the limit of each advance movement and dlsengages the'stripsat the initiation of the succeeding advance movement entirely withoutattention of the operator and without the manipulation of any controldevice.

While for illustrative purposes the invention has been shown as appliedto a portable autographic register it is to be understood that theinvention is equally applicable to pin type feeding devices of othermechanisms such as writing machines, computing and recording machines,imprintingv apparatus, pin type platens for typewriters, or otherinstallation wherein it may be desirable to positively advance strips ofmaterial and hold such strips accurately in their advanced positionwhile being operated upon. Although primarily intended for insuringregistry and augment of superposed strips of record material of themanifolding assembly it is to be understood that the invention is notlimited thereto, but may be employed for feeding single strips ofmaterial wherein it 'is desired to definitely locate the strip in aparticular position of adjustment; asior example, in feeding movingpicture film.

While for illustrative purposes, but with no intent to unduly limit thescope or application of the invention the locating pin I6 has beendescribed as larger than the pins Il and engageable in a hole the samesize as those engaged by the pins I4, it is to be understood that thesame result may be achieved by making the pins I4 and I6 all the samesize and varying the size of the holes 6 so that at the end of a form ahole of smaller size which will substantially fit one of the pins willbe encountered thereby and such smaller hole lacking clearance willprevent the relative shifting motion of the strip.

Thus the same result may be had by varying the size of the holes for usewith pins of equal size or by varying the size of the pins for use withholes of uniform size.

In Fig. 8 there is shown a fragment of record strip having therein asuccession of spaced feed holes 6, one of which adjacent to each of thetransverse weakened lines I'I on which the strip is. divisible intoforms, is of smaller size as shown at 8a. For use with such strip havinga succession of holes of dierent sizes there is shown in Fig. 9 a pinwheel the pins I4 of which are of uniform size, smaller than the holes 6but substantially equal to the size of the smaller holes 6a. and thefeeding pins permits relative shifting motion of the strip, while theengagement of one of the pins in a hole B'a, of substantially the samesize as the pin will restrain such relative shifting motion of thestrip.

For feeding short length forms, which are known as "split tickets thepin wheel unit may be provided with multiple larger teeth I6 as is shownin Fig. 10. If the Wheel has an even number of teeth the larger locatingteeth I6 will be located diametrically opposite each other. However thelength of forms and spacing of the feed holes which has been adopted asstandard necessitates an uneven number of teeth in the pin wheel.Therefore it has been found expedient to provide two adjacent large pinsI6 at one side of the wheel and a single large pin I6 at the oppositeside of the wheel as is shown in Fig. 10. When the single pin isuppermost it will extend perpendicular to the engaged strips upon-theperpendicular diameter of the wheel. Upon a half rotation of the wheelthe pair of pins I6 will be uppermost but the Wheel Will come to restwith the pins disposed at opposite sides of the perpendicular diameterof the wheel. The purpose and function of the pins, and the resultaccomplished is the same as before described.

. From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is suceptible of modiflcation in its form, proportions, detailconstruction and arrangement of parts `without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any of its advantages. 4

While in order'to comply with the statute, the invention has beendescribed in ,language more or less specific as to structural features,

The difference in the size of the holes 6 it is to be understood thatthe inventioin is not limited tothe specific features shown, but thatthe means and construction herein disclosed comprise the preferred formof several modes of putting the invention into effect, and the inventionis therefore claimed in any of its forms or modifications within thelegitimate and valid scope of the appended claims. y

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A pin type feeding device for advancing a strip of material havingtherein a 'succession of spaced holes, including a travelling carrier, aseries of spaced feeding pins thereon for successive engagement in thespaced holes, the cross sectional size of the pins being less than thesize of the holes whereby a clearance will be provided for adjustingmovement of the strip relative to the feeding pins engaged in saidholes, and an additional pin on ithe carrier having a cross sectionalsize substantially equal to the size of the holes and substantiallyfilling a hole when engaged therein, said pin being so positioned uponthe carrier as to be disposed in engagement in a hole of the strip atthe limit of advancement of the strip by the feeding pins.

2. In a manifolding apparatus, a series of travelling feeding pinsengageable in holes of larger size than the pins in superposed portionsof record material for loosely advancing the record material whilepermitting relative shifting adjustment of the superposed portionsthereof, and a travelling locating member having a size substantiallyequal to that of the holes and engageable in corresponding holes of thesuperposed portions of record material successively with the series ofpins of less size than the holes and at the limit of their advancemovement for temporarily holding the superposed portions of materialagainst relative shifting movement thereof, and means for actuating thepins and the locating member successively into and out of engagingrelation within the holes of the strip.

3. In a manifolding apparatus, a series'of travelling feeding pinssuccessively engageable in spaced holes of larger size than the pins insuperposed portions of. record material for loosely advancing suchmaterial while permitting limited relative shifting motion of saidsuperposed portions of material relative to the pins and to each other,and a travelling pin substantially tting the holes and automaticallyengageable in corresponding holes of the superposed portions of recordmaterial at the limit of the advance movement thereof and successivelywith the engagement thereof by the series of pins of less size than theholes, and automatically disengageable therefrom upon the initiation ofthe succeeding advance movement thereof, and means for actuating thepins into and out of engaging relation within the holes of the strip.

4. In a manifolding apparatus, a feeding and aligning mechanism forsuperposed strips of material including a plurality of feeding pinssuccessively engageable in correspondingspaced holes in the superposedstrips, the holes beingof substantially larger diameter than that of thepins whereby a limited relative shifting movement of the strips relativeto the pins and to each other is permitted, and an additional feedingpin y of a diameter substantially equalto that ofthe holes -engageablein corresponding holes of the superposed strips in alternation withengagement of the feeding pins forl temporarily holding 'the strips intheir adjusted relation against such relative movement.

5. In a strip feeding device, a pin wheel unit including a plurality ofradial pins of equal diameter and at least one pin of greater diameter,said pins of equal diameter being successively engageable in spacedfeedholes of larger size than the pins in a strip of material to beadvanced, whereby the strip will be loosely fed by the smaller pins intoposition wherein the larger pin engages a hole of the strip and bysubstantially filling such hole preventing shifting motion of the striprelative thereto.

6. In a strip feeding device, a pin type feeding device including agroup of feeding pins of substantially equal diameter loosely engageablein relatively spaced holes of larger size than thepins in a strip ofmaterial to be advanced and a pin of larger size associated therewithfor engagement in one of said holes which it substantially fits at thecompletion of the advance movement by the smaller pins to hold the stripagainst shifting movement relative thereto.

7. In a strip feeding device. a series of pins including pins ofdifferent diameters successively engageable in spaced holes in a stripto be advanced, certain of the holes and pins engageable therein beingof different sizes whereby the strip is capable of shifting movementrelative thereto, and at least one other pin being of a sizesubstantially equal to the size of the hole engaged thereby which itsubstantially fits to prevent shifting movement relative thereto duringthe period of its engagement.

8. A strip feeding device for progressively advancing a strip ofmaterial` having therein a succession of spaced holes, including aseries of travelling pins of less size than the holes in the strip to beengaged thereby for loosely advancing the strip while permitting limitedrelative shifting motion thereof, and an additional travelling pin of asize substantially equal to that of the hole to be engaged thereby andengageable in such hole at the limit of advance movement of the strip bythe first mentioned pins to temporarily hold the strip against shiftingmovement relative thereto.

9. In a strip feeding device, a pin wheel unit including radial pins ofdifferent sizes progressively engageable in spaced holes in a strip ofmaterial to be advanced, certain of the pins being of a sizesubstantially fitting the holes engaged thereby to restrain the stripagainst shifting motion thereto and other of the pins and holesengageable thereby being of diiferent relative size whereby the strip ispermitted limited shifting motion relative to the pins engageable insuch holes.

l0. A pin type strip feeding device, including a plurality of travellingpins progressively engageable in a succession of spaced holes in a stripof material with which certain of the pins substantially agree in sizeand substantially fit to restrain the strip against shifting motionrelative thereto while in engagement therewith, certain other holes ofthe strip being larger than the pins engageable therein to permitlimited shifting motion of the strip relative to the pins while inengagement therewith.

11. A pin type strip feeding device including a series of travellingfeeding pins progressively engageable in a succession of spaced holes oflarger size than the pins in a strip of material to be fed. and anadditional pin substantially equal in size to that of a hole in thestrip in which it is engageable, said additional pin being automaticallyengageable in the hole which it substantially fits at the end of anadvance movement by the first mentioned pins and automaticallydisengageable therefrom upon the initiationof the next succeedingfeeding movement and means for actuating the several pins into and outof engaging relation with in the holes of the strip.

12. In a strip feeding device, a series of travelling pins progressivelyengageable in a succession of spaced holes in a strip to be fed, certainof the holes and pins being of substantially equal size whereby eachsuch hole will be substantially illled by the pin engageable therein toprevent shifting movement of the strip relative to the pin and certainof the holes being larger than the pins engageable therein to permitlimited shifting motion of the strip relative to the pins and means foractuating the pins into and out of engaging relation within the holes inthe strip.

13. In a strip feeding device, a series of travelling pins progressivelyengageable in a succession of spaced holes in a strip to be fed, certainof the pins being of larger size than other pins of the series andsubstantially equal to the size of the holes within which they areengageable, and other of the pins being of lesser size than the firstmentioned pins and of less size than the holes within which they areengageable, and means for actuating the pins into and out of engagingrelation within the holes of the strip.

14. In a strip feeding device, a series of travelling pins progressivelyengageable in a succession of spaced holes in a strip to be fed, certainof the holes in the strip being substantially equal in size to that ofthe pins engageable therein whereby the strip may be held againstshifting motion relative to the pins, and other of the holes being oflarger size than the pins engageable therein whereby clearance isaiforded for limited shifting motion of the strip relative to the'pinsand means for actuating the pins into and out of engaging relationwithin the holes.

15. In a strip feeding device, a series of travelling pins progressivelyengageable in a succession o f spaced holes in a strip to be fed,certain of the pins being smaller than the holes in which they areengageable thereby affording clearance for shifting motion of the striprelative to the en gaged pins, and certain of the pins beingsubstantially equal in size to the holes in which they are engageable toprevent shifting motion of the strip relative thereto and means foractuating the pins into and out of engaging relation within the holes ofthe strip.

16. In a strip feeding device. a series of travel- I ling pinsprogressively engageable in a succession of spaced holes in a strip tobe fed, certain of the holes in the strip being substantially the samesize as the pins engageable therein whereby shifting motion of the striprelative to the engaged pin is prevented and certain other holes of thestrip being larger than the pins engageable therein to afford clearancefor shifting adjustment of the strip relative to the engaged pins, andmeans for actuating the pins into and out of engagement within the holesof the strip.

17. In a pin type feeding device for advancing a strip of materialhaving therein a succession of spaced holes, the combination of acarrier, a series of pins thereon having cross sectional size less thanthe size of the holes and successively engageable in the holes f orfeeding and adjusting movement of the strip, and a pin on the carrierhaving a cross sectional size substantially equal to the size of theholes and intermittently engageable a strip of material having asuccession of spaced holes therein, the combination of atravellingcarrier and a series of pins thereon, a part of the pins having a crosssectional size less than the size of the holes and successivelyengageable in the holes for feeding and adjusting movement.

of the strip, and at least one of the pins having a cross sectional sizesubstantially equal to the size of the holes and engageable with a holein the strip at predetermined intervals to maintain the strip inadjusted position.

19. In a pin type feeding ,device for advancing a strip of materialhaving a succession of spaced holes therein, the combination of atravelling carrier and a series of pins thereon, a part of the pinshaving a cress sectional size less than the size of the holes andsuccessively engageable in' the holes for feeding and adjusting movementof the strip, and at least one of the pins having a cross sectional sizesubstantially equal to the size of the holes andengageable with a holein the strip at predetermined intervals to feed the strip andsimultaneously maintain the strip in adjusted position.

- 20. In a pin type feeding device for advancing a strip of materialhaving a succession of spaced holes therein, the combination of atravelling `carrier and a series of pins thereon, a part of the pinshaving a cross sectional size less than the size of the holes andsuccessively engageable in the holes for feeding and adjusting movementof the strip, and at least one of the pins having a cross sectional sizesubstantially equal to the size of the holes and engageable with a holein the strip at predetermined intervals to maintain the strip inadjusted position, and means for intermittently actuating the travellingcarrier, the last named pin being arranged thereon to be engaged ina'hole in the strip at the termination of carrier movement through apredetermined cycle.

2l. In a device for feeding marginally apertured manifold forms, aseries of travelling feeding pins progressively engageable in themarginal apertures to advance the manifold forms past a writing positionincluding pins of smaller diameter than the holes in which they engagewhereby the forms are permitted relative shifting movement, and otherpins substantially agreeing in diameter with the holes in which theyengage whereby the manifold forms are held by such pins against relativeshifting movement, and means for advancing the pins.

22. The herein described method of feeding superposed manifold formswherein a succeeding form length is presented in writing position ateach operation which includes the steps of continuously feeding theforms loosely through approximately a full `form length during which theforms are free`for limited relative shifting motion, and thereafterholding the forms in relatively xed relation while completing thefeeding movement thereof throughout the remainder of the form length.

23. The herein described method of feeding superposed manifold forms thedistance of at least one form length at each operation including thesteps of alternately feeding the forms loosely during a portion of thefeeding movement, whereby they are capable of relative adjustmentsimultaneously with their advancement, thereafter intercoupling thesuperposed forms in relatively adjusted relation, and feeding such formswhile in relatively fixed relation through the completion of a formlength advancement inl which they are held against relative adjustmentand arresting the forms in writing position while in the lattercondition. l

24. In an apparatus for feeding superposed strips of manifoldingmaterial, a pin type feeding device engageable in marginally punchedholes in the strips of manifolding material including pins whichsubstantially iit the holes in the manifolding material within whichthey enp gage, and other pins substantially smaller than the holes inthe manifolding material in. which they engage and means fortransmitting motion tothe pins to effect progressive engagement of thefitting and non-fitting pins in the marginal holes.

25. In a strip feeding device, a series of travelling pins progressivelyengageable in a succession of spaced holes in a strip to be fed, certainof the pins being of larger size than other pins of the series andsubstantially equal to the size of the holes within which they areengageable and other of the pins being of lesser size thanthe firstmentioned pins and of less size than the holes within which they areengageable, the pinsof two sizes being arranged relatively to each otherwhereby at some strip feeding periods there will be only pins of lesserl size in engagement with holes in the strip, and means for actuatingthe pins into and out of engaging relation with holes in the strip.

'26. In a strip feeding device, a series of travellingpins progressivelyengageable in a succession of spaced holes in a strip to be fed, certainof the pins being of larger size than other pins of the series andsubstantially equal to the size of the holes within which they areengageable, and other of the pins being of lesser size than the firstmentioned pins and of less size than the holes within which they areengageable, the pins of two sizes being arranged relatively to eachother whereby at some strip feeding periods there will be only pins oflesser size in engagement with holes in the strip, and at the completionof a feeding cycle there will be a pin of larger size in engagement witha holein the strip.

27. A pin type feeding device having progressive registering andaligning engagement in longitudinally spaced holes in superposed stripsof record material during advancement thereof, characterized by a seriesof relatively spaced traveling feeding pins including a successionthereof loosely engageable in the holes in the strips whereby the stripsare free for relative shifting adjustment and at least one succeedingpin of the series substantially fitting a hole in the strips in which itis engageable at approximately the limit of a predetermined range ofadvance movement of the strips t'o temporarily hold the strips againstrelative shifting adjustment.

28. The herein described method of registering and aligning superposedstrips of record material having therein longitudinally spaced holes andtemporarily retaining the strips in registering and aligned relation,including the steps of progressively engaging in the holes thereof asuecession of relatively spaced traveling pins certain of whichsubstantially fits the hole in which it is engageable and others ofwhich loosely engage in corresponding holes in the strip, withdrawingentirely the pin which substantially fits such hole from engagement withthe strip and loosely engaging other traveling pins in correspondingholes in the strips for advancement thereof while permitting relativeshifting adjustment thereof during the period of withdrawal of the holefitting pin and thereafter at substantially the limit of feedingmovement reengaging in a hole of the strip a pin which substantiallyfits such hole'. y

29. The herein described method of feeding superposed strips of recordmaterial each having therein a series of` longitudinally spaced holesand intermittentlyv presenting the strips in registering and alignedrelation at a record receiving position by progressive engagement insaid holes inthe strips of a succession of relatively spaced feedingpins characterized in that the holes in the strips are only looselyengaged by the pins during a substantial portion of each advancement ofthe strips during which the strips are free for relative shiftingmovement into registry one with another, and that thereafter the holesin the strips are closely engaged by the pins during the remainder ofthe feeding movement and while presented at record receiving positionbetween succeeding feeding movements and temporarily held againstrelative shifting adjustment.

30. The herein described method of feeding superposedstrips of recordmaterial each having therein a series of longitudinally spaced holes andintermittently presenting the strips in registering and aligned relationat a record receiving position by progressive engagement in said holesin the strips of a succession of relatively spaced feeding pins,characterized inA that the pins engage only loosely in the recordmaterial and permit relative shifting adjustment of the strips duringadvancement thereof and that the pins engage only closely in the holesat the end of the advance movement of the strips and prevent relativeshifting movement of the strips during theinterval between succeedingadvance movements thereof.

31. Apin type feeding device for advancing superposed strips of recordmaterial each having therein a succession of longitudinally spaced holesand intermittently presenting the strips in registering and alignedrelation at a record receiving position characterized by a series ofrelatively spaced traveling feeding pins loosely engageable in the holesin the strips and permitting free relative shifting motion of thestripsduring advancement thereof and including at least one pinadditional to said series substantially lfitting the holes in the stripsin which it is engageable at the end of the advancement of the strips tohold the strips against relative shifting movement.

32. In a manifolding apparatus cooperative with a series of superposedrecord strips having longitudinally spaced feed holes therein forengagement of a pin type feeding device, the combination with a seriesof such strips, ofa series of relatively spaced traveling feeding lpinsincluding a plurality thereof loosely engageable in the holes in thestrips, whereby the strips are free for shifting adjustment one relativeto -another and at. least one succeeding pin of the series substantiallyfitting registering holes in the superposed strips in which it isengageable at substantially the completion of a predetermined advancemovement of the strips to temporarily hold the strips against relativeadjustment.

33. In a manifolding apparatus wherein multiple'records are producedupon superposed record strips having therein longitudinally spaced feedholes, successive portions ot which are intermittently advanced into arecord receiving position by pin type feeding means engageable in saidlongitudinally spaced holes, the combination with a. series of suchstrips, of a plurality of traveling relatively spaced feeding pinsloosely engageable in successive spaced holes in the strips foradvancing successive portions of the strips into record receivingposition and at least one additional pin traveling in unison with saidplurality, engageable. in registering holes in the superposed strips atthe completion of each advance move- ,ment, for temporarily holding thestrips against adjustment one relative to another while receiving recorddata thereon.

34. Ina manifolding apparatus wherein multiple records are produced uponsuperposed record strips having therein longitudinally spaced feedholes, successive portions of which are intermittently advanced .into arecord receiving'position by pin type feeding means engageable in saidlongitudinally spaced holes, the combination with a series of suchstrips, of a plurality of relatively spaced traveling feeding'pinsengageable in succeeding holes of the strips for advancing successiveportions of the strips into record receiving position, the size of theholes in the strips and that of the pins being so relativelyproportioned that the pins engage only loosely in the holes inthe-strips during advancement thereof and closely fit the engaged holesat the completion of the advance movement, enabling adjustment of 4 thestrips one relative to another into registry and alignment while beingadvanced to record receiving position, and preventing relative movementthereof while in record receiving position.

35. In a device. for feeding manifold forms having marginal aperturesfor feeding purposes cornprising a feeding element having pins forsuccessively engaging in the said marginal apertures, some of the pinsbeing no smaller in effective diameter than the apertures in the paperin which they engage, and others of the pins being of sufilcientlysmaller diameter than the holes in which they engage to permit shiftingof relae tive positions of the manifold forms with relation t6 eachother, there being suillcient smaller sized pins arranged so that atsome period during the operation of feeding a manifold form, there shallbeonly smaller pins having feeding engagement with the manifold formsand whereby at other times the webs are held against shifting movementwith relation to each other by engagement of a pin of suchlarger sizetherewith.

36. A writing or imprinting machine, wherein a strip of record materialhaving therein longitudinally spaced holes for engagement oftravelingfeeding pins by which the strip is advanced past a recordreceiving position through successive movements of substantial length, atraveling series of spaced pins engageable in the holes in the strip orstrips, and an intermittently operable traveling carrier for the pinscharacterized in that succeeding holes and pins are so relativelyproportioned that during a substantial portion of each advancement thefeeding pins engage the holes only loosely and during the remainder ofeach advancement they engage the holes closely in both transverse andlongitudinal directions of the strip to register the strip relative tothe record receiving position of the .machine 37. A writing orimprinting machine, wherein traveling feeding pins have progressiveengagement in a succession of longitudinally spaced holes in a strip ofrecord material for advancing the strip past a record receivingposition, a series of traveling spaced feeding pins and anintermittently operable carrier therefor, characterized in that theholes in the strip and pins engageable therein are so arranged andrelatively proportioned as to be in loose engagement during advancementof the strip and in close engagement at the end of each advancement ofthe strip whereby the strip is held stationary against both transverseand longitudinal movement relative to the machine during rest periodsbetween succeeding advance movements of the strip.

38. A writing or imprinting machine, wherein traveling feeding pins haveprogressive engagement in a succession of longitudinally spaced holes ina strip of record material for advancing the strip past a recordreceiving position, a series of traveling spaced feeding pins and anintermittently operable carrier therefor, characterized in that the pinsare of two cross sectional sizes and so arranged that the pins ofsmaller size engage only loosely during a portion of each feedingmovement and the pins of larger size engage the holes closely during theremainder of the feeding movement in both transverse and longitudinaldirections of the strip.

JOHN Q. BHERMAN.

